Author: Dave West

Dave West is a writer, interviewer, and podcaster who also hosts game shows, wrestling events, and rock concerts as his alter ego, Phantom Troublemaker. As the owner/operator of NeedlessThingsPodcast.com he has been providing commentary on toys, movies, music, and all manner of pop culture for over a decade.

Needless Things Podcast 243 – Star Wars Toys with Adam Pawlus

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-bycrj-a1d628

On this weeks’ episode, Adam Pawlus of 16Bit.com and GalacticHunter.com talks to Dave about the past, present, and future of Star Wars toys!

Known for his quick wit and intuitive knowledge of the hobby, Adam Pawlus has written for various publications including Star Wars Galaxy Collector as well as stints at Rebelscum and Yakface. He also has a day job in the toy business. His newsletter was an invaluable resource for many collectors during the POTF2 era. He now brings his expertise, as well as his ever-popular Q&A column, to Galactic Hunter. If you have a question about Star Wars toys, it’s a good bet he has the answer, or an answer.
Listen in as Dave and Adam talk about the ups and downs of collecting toys from that galaxy far, far away!
Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com
Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?
You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Movie Review – 15 Thoughts About Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

SPOILER WARNING – THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR SONY PICTURES’ NEW FILM SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE

When you’ve got an eleven-year-old son who is hugely into Spider-Man, it doesn’t really matter if the trailers for the new animated Spider-Man movie appeal to you or not. Unless you’re an asshole, you’re going to see it.

Fortunately for me, I was very excited by the trailers for Into the Spider-Verse.

I love the wave of comic book inspired films we’ve been getting for the past decade, but no matter how much you’re enjoying it, there’s no denying the fact that there’s a certain safe sameness about most of the movies. Even with the seemingly huge differences between Marvel and DC films, if we’re being honest they’re all playing the same game.

Sony’s newest Spider-Man film, on the other hand, looked to be trying something very different. It’s animated, but didn’t seem to be marketed towards children as specifically as, say, The LEGO Movies. Its focus is on a younger protagonist that fans have been clamoring for, but that might be unfamiliar to most audiences.

Before you argue that point with me, remember that there are still many people out there who think of every Batman movie from 1989 to now as being connected. These people have never heard of Miles Morales. The idea of there being more than one Spider-Man is foreign. At best they might know that Peter Parker has worn multiple suits or that there has been a Spider-Woman at some point.

Fans might complain about Sony’s past treatment of Spider-Man, but it seemed they were attempting something new and, quite frankly brave, with Into the Spider-Verse.

Did the seeming risks – unique animation style, new character, unconnected universe – pay off or should they have played it safe? Read on and find out! Continue reading “Movie Review – 15 Thoughts About Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” →

Home Again – December’s Blu-Ray Releases

Welcome to Home Again, where each and every Tuesday I’ll be running down some of the best genre releases coming to home media. In general I won’t be covering 4K because I find the format overrated, but if it’s new and  happens to have some kind of edition feature I might mention it.

All info is from the excellent Blu-ray.com. This isn’t every genre release, just the ones I find interesting. For the full list, follow that link. Continue reading “Home Again – December’s Blu-Ray Releases” →

Needless Things Minicast Episode 2 – Mezco’s One:12 Collective

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-bnq4g-a12c57

Dave and Head of Research Ryan Schweck discuss Mezco’s One:12 Collective action figure line!

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com
Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?
You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Needless Things Podcast 242 – 12 Things of Christmas

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-eajiw-a12c31

Head of Research Ryan Schweck and Belligerent Monkey Jay Hornsby return to the Needless Things Podcast to spread Christmas cheer!

Movies, music, decorations, food – there are all kinds of different ways to celebrate the holiday season. Whether you start the day after Thanksgiving or wait until it’s properly December, there are so many modern traditions involved with the holiday season and everyone has their favorites.
Listen in as Dave, Ryan, and Jay share the top twelve things that are essential parts of their Christmas celebrations!
Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com
Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?
You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Comic Book Wednesday – Previews December 2018: “About That Cap…”

If you don’t know, Previews is the catalog that Diamond Comic Distributors use to offer the products they distribute to comic book stores around the country. This is where you can view and order (through your favorite Local Comic Book Shop) comic books, trade paperback collections, t-shirts, books, media, and toys and other collectibles from hundreds of different vendors that deal in geek-oriented merchandise. The genius part is that you actually have to pay for your copy of Previews for the privilege of ordering other things to pay for.

It’s like the Ren Fest except without the horse poo smell.

So every month a new edition of Previews is sent out to comic book stores. Contained in the pages within are products that might be currently available or could be released anytime in the next year; but are typically about two months away. Most of this month’s offerings are scheduled to ship in March.

Now it’s time to discuss a few of the weird and/or wonderful items offered in this month’s edition! Continue reading “Comic Book Wednesday – Previews December 2018: “About That Cap…”” →

Home Again – December’s Blu-Ray Releases

Welcome to Home Again, where each and every Tuesday I’ll be running down some of the best genre releases coming to home media. In general I won’t be covering 4K because I find the format overrated, but if it’s new and  happens to have some kind of edition feature I might mention it.

All info is from the excellent Blu-ray.com. This isn’t every genre release, just the ones I find interesting. For the full list, follow that link. Continue reading “Home Again – December’s Blu-Ray Releases” →